TheoryFirst Aid at Work (HSE, UK)
Practice Test
First Aid at Work practice questions matched to HSE guidance, including CPR, bleeding and shock.
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30 free First Aid at Work (HSE, UK) questions
Sampled across every topic area — not just the first page. Try them as a quiz or flip them as flashcards.
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Emergency Response & DR ABC
In the DR ABC action plan, what does the first 'D' stand for?
Correct — A. DR ABC begins with Danger. Always check for hazards to yourself, the casualty and bystanders before approaching. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What is the correct order of the DR ABC primary survey?
Correct — A. DR ABC stands for Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation (CPR), in that order — the primary survey taught in UK first aid. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What is the very first thing you should do on arriving at an emergency scene?
Correct — B. Checking for danger first protects you, the casualty and bystanders. An injured rescuer cannot help anyone. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
How should you check whether a collapsed person is responsive?
Correct — B. Check response by talking and touching: give a simple command and gently squeeze the shoulders. Never shake a casualty violently. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What is the emergency telephone number for an ambulance in the UK?
Correct — B. 999 is the primary emergency number in the UK. 112 also works (including from a mobile), but 999 is the main number to call. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
An adult collapses, is unresponsive and is NOT breathing normally. What should you do?
Correct — C. An unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally is in cardiac arrest. Start CPR immediately and send for an AED. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
A casualty is unresponsive but IS breathing normally. What is the best position for them?
Correct — C. An unconscious casualty who is breathing should be placed on their side (recovery position) to keep the airway clear and let fluids drain. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
Why is the recovery (side) position used for an unconscious, breathing casualty?
Correct — B. On their side, the tongue is less likely to block the airway and any vomit or fluid can drain out rather than being inhaled. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
How do you open the airway of an unconscious adult?
Correct — A. A gentle head-tilt and chin-lift moves the tongue away from the back of the throat and opens the airway. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
You are alone with an unresponsive adult and have a mobile phone. What should you do?
Correct — B. Call 999 on speaker so you can follow the dispatcher's instructions and start CPR without leaving the casualty. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
When checking for normal breathing, how long should you take?
Correct — B. Look, listen and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. Occasional gasps are NOT normal breathing. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
Which best describes the overall aims of first aid?
Correct — B. The aims of first aid are to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and promote recovery until medical help arrives. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
Which of these is a danger you should look for before helping at a road crash?
Correct — D. Traffic, fuel/fire and broken glass are all hazards. Make the scene as safe as possible before approaching the casualty. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
When should you call 999 in an emergency?
Correct — B. Call 999 (or send a bystander to call) as soon as a serious emergency is recognised. The sooner the ambulance is on its way, the better the outcome. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
How often should you monitor an unconscious casualty in the recovery position?
Correct — B. Keep checking the casualty's breathing and response continuously, as their condition can change at any time. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What role does the team leader play in the debriefing session?
Correct — C. The team leader guides the debrief by leading a structured discussion, helping the team review what went well and what to improve for future resuscitations. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
While waiting for help to arrive, what is crucial to do with the patient?
Correct — B. While waiting for EMS, continue to monitor the patient's breathing, pulse, and level of responsiveness for any changes. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What role does surveillance and prevention play in the cardiac chain of survival?
Correct — C. Surveillance and prevention, the first link in the in-hospital chain of survival, focuses on recognizing warning signs early to prevent cardiac arrest from occurring. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
In a rapid assessment, which of the following is NOT part of the initial impression?
Correct — B. The initial impression is a quick overview (checking consciousness, breathing, and obvious severe bleeding); a detailed physical examination comes later in the assessment. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
Why is teamwork considered essential during a resuscitation effort?
Correct — C. Teamwork during resuscitation allows tasks to happen simultaneously and efficiently, which ultimately improves the patient's chances of survival. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
Which of the following is a sign that immediate action is required in a healthcare emergency?
Correct — B. A patient who is unresponsive and shows no signs of life is the clearest indicator that immediate emergency action is needed. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
In a high-performance BLS team, which of the following roles is NOT typically filled by providers?
Correct — B. Standard high-performance BLS team roles include compressor, airway manager/ventilator, and AED operator; 'patient monitor' is not a separate designated role. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What is the initial response when a patient is unresponsive and breathing normally?
Correct — B. If a patient is unresponsive but breathing normally, assess and maintain the airway while closely monitoring their condition until help arrives. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What are the signs that the CPR team is functioning effectively?
Correct — B. An effective CPR team communicates and adjusts roles and actions in real time, rather than working in silence or with rigid, unchanging roles. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What action should be taken if a child is unresponsive but has normal breathing?
Correct — B. A child who is unresponsive but breathing normally should be closely monitored (and kept in a position that maintains an open airway) while awaiting further care. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
When should you consider activating emergency medical services (EMS)?
Correct — C. EMS should be activated when a patient becomes unresponsive or shows an altered mental status, both signs of a potentially life-threatening emergency. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What is the first link in the In-Hospital Adult Cardiac Chain of Survival?
Correct — C. The in-hospital adult chain of survival begins with surveillance and prevention, aimed at recognizing and preventing deterioration before cardiac arrest occurs. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
Which statement is true about the role of a team leader during CPR?
Correct — B. The CPR team leader's role is to monitor overall team performance and make real-time adjustments, not to perform every task alone. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
What does the term 'critical thinking' refer to during cardiac arrest assessment?
Correct — B. Critical thinking during a cardiac arrest assessment means clearly and rationally connecting available information to the appropriate actions, rather than acting on protocol alone or guesswork. -
Emergency Response & DR ABC
Why is it important for teams to regularly practice together?
Correct — B. Regular practice as a team keeps individual skills current and strengthens overall teamwork and coordination during real emergencies.
First Aid at Work (HSE, UK) sample questions
Tap any question below to reveal the answer and a plain-English explanation.
Emergency Response & DR ABC What should you check for when assessing a patient who has collapsed?
A. Signs of cardiac impairment only.
B. Responsiveness and life-threatening bleeding. ✓
C. Only signs of stroke.
D. All physical injuries without checking for responsiveness.
Correct — B. When assessing a collapsed patient, check for responsiveness and any life-threatening bleeding as an immediate priority.
CPR & Defibrillation (AED) What is the recommended ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths in CPR for all ages?
A. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths ✓
C. 5 compressions to 1 breath
D. 10 compressions to 2 breaths
Correct — B. For a single lay rescuer, the ratio is 30 compressions to 2 breaths for adults, children and infants.
Airway & Choking A conscious adult is choking but can still cough forcefully and speak. What should you do?
A. Give 5 hard back blows immediately
B. Encourage them to keep coughing and watch closely ✓
C. Lay them on the floor
D. Give them water to drink
Correct — B. With a mild (partial) obstruction the person can still move air. Encourage coughing and monitor in case it becomes severe.
Bleeding, Wounds & Shock What is the most effective first action to control severe external bleeding?
A. Apply a tourniquet straight away
B. Apply firm, direct pressure over the wound ✓
C. Wash the wound under a tap
D. Give the casualty a drink
Correct — B. Firm, direct pressure over the wound is the first and most effective way to control most external bleeding.
Cardiac, Stroke, Seizures & Diabetes The acronym FAST helps recognise a stroke. What does it stand for?
A. Fever, Aches, Sweating, Tiredness
B. Face, Arms, Speech, Time ✓
C. Fall, Awake, Stand, Talk
D. Fast pulse, Anxiety, Shaking, Thirst
Correct — B. FAST = Face (drooping), Arms (weakness), Speech (slurred), Time (call 999 immediately).
Allergies, Anaphylaxis & Asthma What is anaphylaxis?
A. A mild skin rash
B. A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction ✓
C. A type of headache
D. A common cold
Correct — B. Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction that affects breathing and/or circulation and needs immediate treatment.
Burns, Fractures, Bites & Environmental What is the correct first aid for a thermal (heat) burn?
A. Apply ice directly to the burn
B. Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes ✓
C. Spread butter on the burn
D. Cover it with a tight bandage straight away
Correct — B. Cool the burn under cool (not icy) running water for 20 minutes. This limits the damage and relieves pain.
Legal Duties & Infection Control What does 'duty of care' mean for a first aider?
A. You must carry a first aid kit at all times
B. Once you begin helping, you should continue to a reasonable standard until you hand over care ✓
C. You are legally required to help every stranger
D. You must pay for the casualty's treatment
Correct — B. Duty of care means that once you start first aid, you should continue providing reasonable care until you can hand over to someone equally or more qualified.
About the First Aid at Work (HSE, UK) test
Prepare with confidence for your First Aid at Work qualification in the UK. This study app covers the knowledge behind the HSE-recognised First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) courses, so you can walk into your training or refresher ready.
What you get
- 120+ original practice questions covering DR ABC, CPR for adults, children and infants, using an AED, choking, bleeding and shock, burns, fractures, bites and stings, anaphylaxis, asthma, stroke, heart attack, seizures and workplace legal duties.
- Plain-English explanations for every answer so you learn the reasoning, not just the right option.
- Timed mock exams that build real exam-day confidence.
- Study by topic to focus on your weak spots.
- Available in English, Polish and Urdu.
You will be tested on
- DRSABCD and the primary survey
- CPR and AED use
- Bleeding, shock and wound care
- Fractures, burns and common emergencies
How TheoryPractice helps you pass
- Real exam-style questions with instant, detailed explanations
- Full timed mock exams that mirror the real test format
- Flashcards & quiz modes from the same question bank
- Progress tracking so you know exactly when you're ready
Topics in this question bank
DRSABCD and the primary survey
CPR and AED use
Bleeding, shock and wound care
Fractures, burns and common emergencies
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